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Case Cookus
Case Cookus
Case Cookus
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Stephen Case Cookus (born October 6, 1995), nicknamed "the Chef",[1] is an American professional football quarterback. As a true freshman at Northern Arizona University, he was named the recipient of the 2015 Jerry Rice Award and the STATS FCS Freshman Player of the Year Award, both of which are awarded to the most outstanding freshman player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.[2][3] He holds the record for most combined passing and rushing touchdowns in a USFL game with five, which he accomplished in a game against the Michigan Panthers on June 5, 2022.

Key Information

College career

[edit]

2015

[edit]

As a true freshman, Cookus began the season as the starting quarterback. After throwing for 3,111 yards and 37 touchdowns, he was named Freshman of the Year and was the winner of the Jerry Rice Award, which is given to the most outstanding freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision.[4] He was also named to the All-Big Sky First-team.

2016

[edit]

In the 2016 season, Cookus started the first four games of the season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against Eastern Washington on September 24. Against New Mexico Highlands, he tied school record of seven touchdown passes in a single game. For the season, he threw for 1,173 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and one interception.[5]

2017

[edit]

Cookus made a comeback season in 2017. His best game came against Cal Poly where he completed 35 of 46 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns. For the season, he threw 275 passes on 474 attempts for 3,413 yards with 22 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Cookus took Northern Arizona to the playoffs, but lost 41–20 in the first round to San Diego after throwing 22 of 41 for 178 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.[6] Against Montana, Cookus was ejected for targeting after throwing a downfield block, a very rare occurrence since targeting is almost exclusively called against defensive players.[7]

2018

[edit]

During the second game of the season against Eastern Washington, Cookus once again injured his shoulder while trying to run the ball. He finished the season completing 24 passes on 34 attempts for 265 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, including an 84-yard strike to wide receiver Emmanuel Butler in the season opener.[8]

2019

[edit]

In 2019, Cookus led the FCS with 4,114 passing yards and passing yards per game with a 348.8 per game average. Against FBS foe Arizona, Cookus threw for 373 yards and two touchdowns. Cookus threw a touchdown pass in all 12 games, including at least three touchdowns in five games. He threw for a season high 450 yards in his final collegiate game in an overtime loss against Idaho.[9]

Statistics

[edit]
Legend
Led NCAA Division I FCS
Bold Career high
Season Team Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2015 NAU 11 11 7–4 223 323 69.0 3,117 9.7 37 5 184.8 90 209 2.3 3
2016 NAU 4 4 1–3 80 119 67.2 1,173 9.9 13 1 184.4 16 41 2.6 0
2017 NAU 12 12 7–5 275 474 58.0 3,413 7.2 22 6 131.3 53 −14 −0.3 2
2018 NAU 2 2 1–1 24 34 70.6 265 7.8 2 2 143.7 2 −23 −11.5 0
2019 NAU 12 12 4–8 290 481 60.3 4,114 8.6 31 7 150.5 45 19 0.4 1
Career 41 41 20–21 892 1,431 62.3 12,082 8.4 105 21 154.5 206 232 1.1 6

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight
6 ft 2+5⁄8 in
(1.90 m)		 205 lb
(93 kg)
Values from Pro Day[10]

New York Giants

[edit]

Cookus signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2020.[11] He was waived by the Giants on August 2.[12]

Denver Broncos

[edit]

On May 17, 2021, Cookus signed with the Denver Broncos, but was waived three days later on May 20.[13][14]

Minnesota Vikings

[edit]

On August 2, 2021, Cookus signed with the Minnesota Vikings, but was waived three days later on August 5.[15][16]

Las Vegas Raiders

[edit]

On August 10, 2021, Cookus signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.[17] He was waived by the Raiders on August 16.[18]

Edmonton Elks

[edit]

On October 20, 2021, Cookus signed with the CFL's Edmonton Elks.[19] He was released by Edmonton five days later.

Philadelphia Stars (first stint)

[edit]

Cookus was selected in the 12th round of the 2022 USFL draft by the Philadelphia Stars.[20] He led the Stars into the championship game, but had to depart the game with a broken leg.[21]

Los Angeles Rams

[edit]

On November 23, 2022, Cookus signed with the practice squad of the Los Angeles Rams.[22] His practice squad contract expired when the team's season ended on January 9, 2023.

Philadelphia Stars (second stint)

[edit]

On February 17, 2023, Cookus re-signed with the Stars.[23] The Stars folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[24]

Memphis Showboats

[edit]

On January 5, 2024, Cookus was selected by the Memphis Showboats during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.[25]

Birmingham Stallions

[edit]

On March 5, 2025, Cookus signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL).[26]

Cokus with Birmingham in 2025

In week four, Cookus made his Stallions debut against the Houston Roughnecks when starting quarterback Matt Corral went down with an injury late in the fourth quarter. Cookus converted a key third down conversion finding wide receiver Davion Davis on his first pass attempt on the season. The 36-yard completion helped seal the game for Birmingham. In week five, Cookus started against Memphis. He passed for 145 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Cookus also ran for 83 yards in the 20–24 overtime loss.[27]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team League Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2022 PHI USFL 9 7 5–2 130 208 62.5 1,334 6.4 12 5 90.1 22 217 9.9 1
2023 PHI 10 10 4–6 218 347 62.8 2,294 6.6 15 9 85.6 52 277 5.3 0
2024 MEM UFL 9 6 1–5 99 161 61.5 989 6.1 7 4 83.1 19 86 4.5 0
2025 BHAM 4 3 2–1 49 92 53.3 546 5.9 5 2 80.3 15 134 8.9 0
Career 31 26 12–14 496 808 61.4 5,170 6.4 39 20 85.7 109 730 6.7 1

Postseason

[edit]
Year Team League Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2022 PHI USFL 2 2 1–1 27 49 55.1 355 7.2 3 1 90.1 5 43 8.6 1

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Case Cookus

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Stephen Case Cookus (born October 6, 1995), nicknamed "the Chef", is an American professional football quarterback for the of the United Football League (UFL). Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 205 pounds, he has had a career spanning the (NFL), (CFL), and spring football leagues. Known for his strong arm and mobility, Cookus entered the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent after a standout tenure at . Cookus grew up in Thousand Oaks, California, and attended Northern Arizona University, where he played college football for the Lumberjacks from 2015 to 2019. As a four-year starter, he compiled impressive statistics, throwing for 12,082 passing yards, 105 touchdowns, and just 21 interceptions on 892-of-1,431 completions. His senior year in 2019 was particularly notable, as he ranked 10th nationally in completions per game (22.9), passing yards (3,413), and passing yards per game (282.4), while finishing 23rd in touchdowns (22). Despite suffering a season-ending injury early in his junior year, Cookus earned recognition as a top prospect in the Big Sky Conference and was placed on watch lists for awards like the Walter Payton Award. Cookus began his professional career in 2020 when he signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent out of college. After being waived by the Giants in August 2020, Cookus had a brief stint with the Denver Broncos in May 2021 and later with the Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders that year, primarily on practice squads. In 2021, he ventured to the CFL, signing with the Edmonton Elks. Cookus found more consistent playing time in spring football leagues, starting with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL in 2022, where he threw for 1,334 yards and 12 touchdowns, achieving a 62.5% completion rate. He later played for the Memphis Showboats before joining the Stallions in March 2025, continuing his career in the merged UFL. Additionally, he spent time on the Los Angeles Rams' practice squad during the 2022 NFL season.

Early life and high school

Early life

Stephen Case Cookus, known by his nickname "the Chef," was born on October 6, 1995, in Thousand Oaks, California. He grew up in the same community with his parents, Steve and Robin Cookus, an older sister named Rachel, and a younger brother named Wade. Cookus developed an early interest in football, beginning to play organized games in . This early exposure helped foster his passion for the sport, setting the foundation for his athletic development. Initially, Cookus considered pursuing a in , inspired by his father, a chief in the , and the profession's demands and community service aspects, but encouragement from his father and high school coach steered him toward football as a more viable path. Raised in a supportive family environment in Thousand Oaks, he completed his elementary and middle school education locally before entering , where his football journey continued to progress.

High school career

Cookus attended Thousand Oaks High School in Thousand Oaks, California, where he played football and graduated in 2014. Primarily a wide receiver earlier in his youth due to his smaller stature, Cookus transitioned to quarterback for his senior season in 2013, marking his first year as a starter at the position. As a senior, he led the Thousand Oaks Lancers to a 6-4 record, throwing for 2,015 yards and 19 touchdowns on 169 of 262 completions with just 2 interceptions over 10 games. Notable performances included a 318-yard, 3-touchdown effort against San Juan Hills and a career-high 6 touchdowns with 241 yards versus Royal High School. Cookus capped his high school career by earning MVP honors in the 41st Ventura County High School Football All-Star Game. Despite his senior-year production, Cookus faced limited recruitment interest stemming from insufficient game film exposure during his earlier years at wide receiver and his initial 6-foot-1-inch, 160-pound frame. Initially planning to walk on at , he grayshirted there for a year without appearing in any games, using the time to add size and strength. Following this period, Cookus decided to transfer to to continue his football career.

College career

2015 season

As a redshirt in 2015, Case Cookus emerged as the starting for the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks after redshirting the previous year, drawing on his high school experience at to adapt quickly to . He started all 11 games, completing 223 of 323 passes for 3,117 yards, 37 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions, stats that showcased his arm strength and decision-making under pressure. These performances helped propel the Lumberjacks to a 7-4 overall record and a 5-3 mark in play, including a strong midseason surge with four consecutive wins. Cookus's breakout came in key conference matchups, where he demonstrated poise against ranked opponents. In a 38-35 victory over No. 7 , he threw for 245 yards and three s, including a game-sealing score in the fourth quarter. He followed with a 49-41 win at Montana State, passing for 244 yards and four s to secure the team's first road conference victory of the season. His most explosive outing was a 63-21 rout of , where he tied a school record with seven passes for 407 yards, earning him STATS FCS Freshman of the Week honors earlier in the season after a 267-yard, two- debut against Abilene Christian. His dominant rookie campaign earned Cookus the as the top FCS freshman, recognizing his leadership in leading the nation in passing touchdowns (37) and ranking second in passing efficiency (184.9). Under his guidance, Northern Arizona's offense averaged over 40 points per game, establishing a foundation for the program's playoff aspirations despite a first-round exit in the FCS postseason.

2016 season

Cookus entered his sophomore season at following a standout freshman year in 2015, where he set an FCS record with 37 passing touchdowns. Expectations were high for him to lead the Lumberjacks to a strong campaign, but his year was cut short by . In the first four games, Cookus demonstrated his dual-threat ability, completing 80 of 119 passes for 1,173 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just 1 , while also contributing 64 rushing yards on 16 carries. The turning point came on September 24, 2016, during a road game against , when Cookus suffered a severe in the second quarter after completing 17 of 28 passes for 245 yards and 3 touchdowns in that contest. The , which involved damage to his throwing , forced him out of the lineup indefinitely, and on October 26, officially ruled him out for the remainder of the . This allowed Cookus to apply for and receive a medical redshirt, preserving three years of eligibility while he focused on rehabilitation. The loss of Cookus impacted the Lumberjacks' offense, which had started the season 1-2 but showed explosive potential with him under center; backup Blake Kemp stepped in, and NAU managed a 6-5 overall record (5-3 in conference), including a three-game win streak to close the , though they missed the FCS . For Cookus personally, the injury marked a challenging period of and recovery, emphasizing his resilience as he worked to regain full strength without rushing back prematurely.

2017 season

Following a season-ending in 2016, Cookus returned as Northern Arizona's starting for his junior year, demonstrating resilience in a full recovery that allowed him to participate in all 12 games. Cookus completed 275 of 474 pass attempts for 3,413 yards, achieving a 58.0% completion rate with 22 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions, while adding 2 rushing touchdowns. His performance earned him a spot as a finalist for the , recognizing the top offensive player in FCS football, as he directed an offense ranked 14th nationally in total yards per game (448.4) and 26th in scoring offense. Under Cookus's leadership, the Lumberjacks finished with a 7-5 overall record and 6-2 in play, securing a berth in the FCS for the first time since 2013. Notable performances included a career-high 406 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in a 28-10 conference-opening win over Cal Poly, 380 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 41-21 victory against then-No. 11 Illinois State, and 407 yards in a 49-41 overtime win at Sacramento State. He also maintained an interception-free streak over 204 consecutive attempts spanning four-plus games. In the FCS playoff first round, Northern Arizona fell 41-10 to San Diego, where Cookus completed 22 of 41 passes for 178 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.

2018 season

Cookus entered the 2018 season as Northern Arizona's redshirt senior starting quarterback, but his campaign was cut short by a recurrence of upper-body injury issues similar to the season-ending shoulder problem he suffered in 2016. In the Lumberjacks' season opener against UTEP on September 1, he completed 17 of 24 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns, contributing to a 30-10 victory. However, during the second game against Eastern Washington on September 8, Cookus sustained a broken collarbone in his right throwing shoulder just 12 minutes into the contest after a hit while scrambling; he finished that game 7 of 10 for 87 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions before exiting. The injury required surgery to implant a four-inch plate in his collarbone, sidelining him for the remainder of the season and limiting his overall statistics to 24 completions on 34 attempts for 265 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions across just two games. Without their star signal-caller, the Lumberjacks struggled offensively, finishing the year with a 4-7 overall record and a 3-5 mark in play, including several close losses that highlighted the void left by Cookus's absence. The limited participation qualified him for an NCAA medical hardship waiver, preserving his eligibility. In January 2019, Cookus announced his decision to return to Northern Arizona for a fifth year, citing his desire to lead the team to a playoff berth and build on his unfinished business after the injury-riddled season. This choice was influenced by the new NCAA redshirt rule allowing players who appeared in four or fewer games due to injury to retain a full season of eligibility, providing him the opportunity to fully recover and compete in 2019.

2019 season

Cookus entered his fifth-year senior season at having recovered from a season-ending injury that sidelined him for the entire campaign. As the starting quarterback for the Lumberjacks, he guided the team through a 6-6 regular season, appearing in all 12 games and solidifying his status as one of the top passers in FCS football. Cookus led the FCS in both total passing yards and passing yards per game, amassing 4,114 yards on 290 completions out of 481 attempts, with 31 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions, for a of 150.49. His performance powered to the nation's top passing offense at 361.0 yards per game, earning him a finalist nod for the as the outstanding offensive player in FCS. Throughout the season, Cookus shattered multiple program records, culminating in career totals of 12,082 passing yards and 105 touchdown passes upon graduation, surpassing previous marks held by Travis Brown (11,400 yards) and Jeff Duke (94 touchdowns). He reached the 100-touchdown milestone in a November game against Eastern Washington, where he threw for 356 yards and 2 scores despite a 66-38 loss. Notable performances included a season-opening tie of the school single-game record with 7 touchdown passes for 363 yards on 25-of-31 passing against Highlands, a 373-yard effort (28-of-48, 2 touchdowns) in a 65-41 loss to FBS opponent , and 357 yards with 4 touchdowns on 12-of-21 passing in a 55-21 win over Illinois State.

College statistics

Cookus played at from 2015 to 2019, appearing in 42 games as the primary . His passing statistics are summarized in the following table.
YearGamesCompletions–AttemptsCompletion %Passing YardsPassing TDsInterceptions
201511223–32369.03,117375
2016480–11967.21,173131
201712275–47458.03,413226
2018224–3470.626522
201912290–48160.34,114317
Career41892–1,43162.412,08210521
Cookus suffered a season-ending broken collarbone injury in the second game of the 2018 season, qualifying him for a medical hardship waiver that preserved his eligibility for a fifth year. His career was 154.5.

Professional career

New York Giants (2020)

Following the , Case Cookus signed with the as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2020. His impressive college performance at , where he led the Football Championship Subdivision in passing yards during the 2019 season, contributed to the Giants' interest in him as a developmental beyond a typical camp arm. Cookus participated in the Giants' organized team activities and that summer, providing depth at the position amid a group headlined by Daniel Jones and veteran backups. With the 2020 canceled due to the , his opportunities were limited to practice sessions and internal evaluations, where he competed for a potential spot but did not receive specific public coaching feedback on his progress. On August 2, 2020, the Giants waived Cookus as part of a roster trim to meet the league's 80-man limit, along with several other rookies and first-year players. This release occurred just before the regular season, ending his brief stint with the team without any game appearances.

2021 NFL stints

Following his rookie season with the , Case Cookus continued his pursuit of an roster spot by signing with the on May 17, 2021, after impressing during their rookie minicamp tryout. However, the Broncos waived him just three days later on May 20 to make room on their offseason roster, marking another brief training camp appearance without any on-field action. Cookus then joined the Minnesota on August 2, 2021, signing a contract after participating in a tryout amid the team's need for additional due to protocols affecting their depth chart. He was waived by the on August 5, again without seeing game action, highlighting the competitive nature of training camps for undrafted players. Later that month, on August 10, 2021, Cookus signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as a to bolster their room during . The Raiders released him on August 16, prior to their preseason finale, continuing his pattern of short-term opportunities across multiple teams. These rapid stints underscored Cookus's journeyman status as an adaptable backup navigating the league's intense competition for roster spots, though he recorded no statistics in 2021.

Edmonton Elks (2021)

Following brief stints with several teams earlier in 2021, where he did not secure a roster spot, Cookus signed with the of the Canadian Football League on October 20, 2021, marking his transition to professional football outside the . Cookus joined the Elks as a backup , primarily contributing to practice sessions and serving on the practice squad during the latter part of the . He did not appear in any regular-season games for the team. Cookus was released by the Elks from their practice squad on November 20, 2021, shortly after the conclusion of the regular season.

Philadelphia Stars (2022–2023)

Case Cookus was selected by the Philadelphia Stars in the 12th round (sixth pick among quarterbacks) of the 2022 USFL Draft out of Northern Arizona University. Initially serving as the backup to Bryan Scott, Cookus assumed the starting role midway through the season after Scott's injury, starting the final seven regular-season games. In those contests, he completed 130 of 208 passes for 1,334 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while adding 217 rushing yards and two rushing scores, helping the Stars achieve a 6-4 record and secure a playoff berth as the North Division's second seed. Cookus guided the Stars to a 24-14 victory over the in the North Division championship game, completing 15 of 27 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. In the USFL Championship Game against the on July 3, 2022, he engineered a comeback rally, throwing for 189 yards and three touchdowns on 12 of 22 attempts, including a pivotal 25-yard scoring pass to Devin Gray that gave a 23-20 lead late in the third quarter. However, Cookus suffered a broken on a sack in the fourth quarter, forcing him to exit; backup could not sustain the drive, and the Stars fell 33-30 in a heartbreaker. Following his recovery from the championship injury, Cookus signed to the ' practice squad in November 2022 but was released before the 2023 season. He re-signed with the in February 2023, reclaiming the starting role for the full campaign. Starting all 10 games, Cookus passed for 2,294 yards—second in the USFL—while recording 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, alongside 278 rushing yards; the again finished 6-4 but missed the after a 30-26 loss to the Stallions in Week 10. The franchise folded prior to the 2024 season as part of the USFL-XFL merger into the United Football League, with its players, including Cookus, entering the .

Los Angeles Rams (2022)

Following his injury in the 2022 USFL Championship game, Case Cookus signed with the ' practice squad on November 23, 2022, as the team sought additional quarterback depth amid injuries to key players, including uncertainty surrounding starter Matthew Stafford's availability. Cookus was not elevated to the active roster for any games during his time with the and remained on the through the conclusion of the 2022 regular season and . His practice squad contract expired in January 2023, after which Cookus became an unrestricted free agent.

(2024)

Case Cookus was selected by the in the 2024 UFL on January 5, 2024, bringing his experience as a starting from the Stars in the USFL to the newly merged league. He entered the season as the primary starter under head coach , competing with backups and . Cookus started the first three games, leading the Showboats to their only road victory of the season in Week 1 with a 18–12 win over the Houston Roughnecks, where he completed 23 of 40 passes for 204 yards, one , and one interception. In Week 4 against the , he rebounded from a sack-heavy Week 3 performance by orchestrating key drives, including a pass to wide receiver Daewood Davis, though the team fell 31–15. Injuries sidelined him for parts of the season, including Week 5 where Williams started, but Cookus returned to make six starts overall across eight appearances. Over the season, Cookus completed 99 of 161 passes for 989 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions, earning a of 83.1 while contributing 126 rushing yards. His efforts helped the Showboats secure a second win in Week 10 against the Roughnecks (19–12), though he did not play in that game due to ongoing management; the team finished 2–8 and missed the . Following the season, Cookus became an unrestricted as the Showboats did not retain him on the roster.

Birmingham Stallions (2025)

Case Cookus signed with the of the United Football League on March 5, 2025, as a veteran addition to bolster the team's depth amid an unstable position group that included and . His prior experience with the in the 2024 UFL season provided a reliable option for the defending champions. Initially serving as a backup, Cookus saw limited action early in the season while the Stallions navigated injuries and inconsistencies at the position. Cookus made his debut for the Stallions in Week 4 against the Houston Roughnecks on April 19, 2025, entering as a reliever and delivering a critical 36-yard completion to Davion on third-and-long late in the fourth quarter. This pass helped the Stallions consume over 2.5 minutes of clock time, securing a 20-17 victory and contributing to their strong start. The performance highlighted his poise in high-pressure situations, drawing on his spring football background. As injuries mounted, Cookus's role expanded significantly starting in Week 5, where he earned his first start against the on April 25, 2025, becoming the third different starting for Birmingham that season. He started the following week against the on May 4, completing 16 of 23 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-3 rout, while adding 16 rushing yards. In Week 7 versus the Roughnecks on May 11, Cookus started again but suffered a knee injury in the first half, prompting backup to enter and lead a historic 19-point comeback in a 33-25 win. Through the regular season, Cookus appeared in four games for the Stallions, completing 49 of 92 passes (53.3%) for 546 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions, earning an 80.3 . He also contributed on the ground with 15 rushes for 134 yards and no touchdowns, showcasing his mobility in designed runs and scrambles. These efforts, particularly in his starting outings, helped stabilize the offense during a turbulent stretch, aiding the Stallions in finishing 7-3 and securing a playoff berth. The Stallions lost the USFL Conference Championship Game to the 44-29 on June 8, 2025; Cookus did not appear in the postseason.

Awards and honors

College awards

During his freshman season at in , Case Cookus emerged as a standout performer, leading the Lumberjacks to a 7-4 record and earning multiple national and conference accolades for his play. He threw for 3,117 yards and 37 touchdowns while leading the FCS in passer efficiency for much of the year. Cookus was named the winner of the , recognizing him as the top in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). He also received the STATS FCS Freshman Player of the Year honor, Madness FCS National of the Year, and the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Performer of the Year and National Performer of the Year awards. At the conference level, he was unanimously selected as Big Sky Conference Co- of the Year alongside North Dakota's John Santiago and earned first-team All-Big Sky honors at . Additionally, he was named to the FCS All-America first team and the FCS All-America third team. In subsequent seasons, Cookus continued to receive recognition for his performance, including first-team All-Big Sky honors in 2017 after passing for 3,413 yards and 22 touchdowns. He earned second-team All-Big Sky honors in 2019, his senior year, following a season with 4,114 passing yards and 31 touchdowns despite team injuries; he was also a finalist for the . Over his four-year career at , Cookus set program records for career passing yards (12,082) and passing touchdowns (105), achievements that underscored his impact on the Lumberjacks' offense.

Professional achievements

In , Cookus earned USFL Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 8 after a standout against the , where he completed 20 of 26 passes for 247 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 118 yards and one score, accounting for all five of the Stars' touchdowns in a 46-24 victory that clinched a playoff berth. Later that season, he led the Stars to the USFL Championship game, completing 13 of 21 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury in the second quarter of a 33-30 loss to the . Cookus re-signed with the Stars for the 2023 season and started all 10 regular-season games, throwing for 2,294 yards and a league-second 15 passing touchdowns to just nine interceptions, helping the team to a 5-5 record. His dual-threat ability continued to shine, as he added 253 rushing yards and three scores, contributing to Philadelphia's advancement to the USFL before the league's merger into the UFL. Following the merger, Cookus joined the via the 2024 UFL and appeared in eight games, completing 99 of 161 passes for 989 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions while starting six contests and rushing for 86 yards. In 2025, he signed with the and played in four regular-season games, passing for 546 yards and five touchdowns with a 53.3% completion rate, providing depth behind the primary quarterbacks amid the team's push for a playoff spot.

Professional statistics

NFL and CFL

Cookus has not appeared in any regular-season games during his brief stints in the () and (CFL). In the , he spent time on practice squads or training camp with multiple teams, including the (2020), (2021), Minnesota Vikings (2021), (2021), and (2022), but recorded no statistics due to lack of activation for games. In the CFL, Cookus signed with the on October 20, 2021, and participated in practices before being released on November 2, 2021, without playing in any contests.
LeagueTeamYearsGames PlayedPassing Att/CompYardsTD/INTRushing Att/Yds/TD
Various2020–202200/000/00/0/0
CFL202100/000/00/0/0

Spring leagues regular season

Cookus's regular-season performances in the spring leagues spanned the USFL and UFL, where he demonstrated consistent production as a starting , with notable mobility adding to his impact. His statistics are aggregated below by year, including key passing and rushing metrics.
YearLeagueTeamGPComp-AttPctYdsTDINTRatingRush Yds
2022USFLPhiladelphia Stars9130-20862.51,33412590.2217
2023USFLPhiladelphia Stars10218-34962.42,29415982.0278
2024UFL899-16161.59897483.15
2025UFL449-9253.35465280.3134
These figures highlight his development, with varying roles across seasons; in 2025, he served primarily as a backup for the Stallions.

Postseason

In the 2022 USFL Championship Game on July 3, 2022, Case Cookus led the Philadelphia Stars against the Birmingham Stallions in a high-stakes matchup at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. Cookus completed 17 of 29 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns, achieving a passer rating of 117.3 before exiting due to injury. His performance included two touchdown passes to wide receiver Jordan Suell, the first a precise back-shoulder throw in the second quarter that narrowed the Stallions' lead to one point, and the second a 39-yard acrobatic connection in the third quarter that brought the Stars within five points after trailing 20-9 at halftime. Cookus's efforts helped the Stars rally to a 23-20 lead in the second half, showcasing his mobility and decision-making under pressure, including a third touchdown pass to Devin Gray in the fourth quarter that gave Philadelphia a temporary 30-26 advantage. However, with 7:47 remaining, Cookus suffered a leg injury on a scramble and was carted off the field, forcing backup Brandon Silvers to enter. The Stallions capitalized on the momentum shift, scoring 10 unanswered points in the final minutes to secure a 33-30 victory and claim the inaugural USFL title. Cookus's postseason appearance highlighted his role as a key contributor to the ' offensive resurgence during the league's debut season, though the injury limited his impact in the closing stages and contributed to the team's narrow defeat. No further postseason games occurred for Cookus in subsequent seasons, as the 2024 finished 2-8 and missed the UFL playoffs, while he appeared in zero games for the 2025 during their postseason.

References

  1. https://www.theufl.com/teams/birmingham/case-cookus
  2. https://www.nfl.com/players/case-cookus/
  3. https://www.vikings.com/team/players-roster/case-cookus/
  4. https://nauathletics.com/sports/football/roster/case-cookus/4118
  5. https://www.9news.com/article/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/broncos-sign-quarterback-case-cookus/73-cf479d84-932b-47e5-8e85-45ad5e5be00e
  6. https://www.vikings.com/news/case-cookus-danny-etling-quarterback-roster
  7. https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-qb-case-cookus-2021-nfl-training-camp
  8. https://www.bhambanner.com/archive-1/yg6kcjseszthkr2-xkty9-ram7e-389rs-f2bnb-dnf8d-swzkg
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